Coastal Chic: Sandals, Seashells & Linen

As we enter the full force of the summer heat, streets become a sea of white linen trousers. This breathable (sometimes see-through) garment has become a staple over the last few years, and this year is no exception—except for the accompanying accessories. Gladiator sandals are back in full force after their demise circa 2010. People are leaning into a minimalist, beachy vibe, topping off the look with seashell and/or gold jewelry. But why are we all dressing in this specific seaside chic?

Why this style? 

The breezy, earthy, sun-kissed vibe alludes to the Mediterranean—think Positano or Mykonos. It also draws from French and Italian influences while maintaining clean lines and a sense of classiness. This minimalism distinguishes the beachy fashion from the ‘boho’ style of the 2010s—which featured bold and eclectic garments—aligning more with the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic that surfaced on TikTok toward the end of last year.

In this way, the style calls upon influencer culture: imagine Mama Mia meets your favorite TikTok star on holiday.

Jewelery

Some silver jewelry wearers wept into their necklaces last year upon realizing that gold better suited their skin tone (nothing wrong with mixing metals, guys!) as the tide turned regarding jewelry colors. Gold jewelry quickly became associated with the aforementioned ‘old-money’ aesthetic and, by its inherently warm nature, sunny weather.

In a similar vein, seashell jewelry—sometimes gold, sometimes realistic—is coming back into favor. Previously, seashells played a huge role in 2019’s ‘‘VSCO-girl’ style, primarily in the form of white chokers. Now, seashells are being paired with gold, carrying similar coastal, ‘old-money’ connotations through their shape combined with minimalist implementation.

Big Brands 

The Ralph Lauren April fashion show portrayed a wider, more formal version of this style. Lauren described this fashion as the marriage of ‘Gatsby glamour’ and breezy beach luxe. The models wore all elements of the more wearable and accessible coastal trend—seashell jewelry, gold, sandals, and linen—heightened by the element of ’20s glamour that Lauren is known for (having designed costumes for the 1974 The Great Gatsby). This enhancement was especially notable in the use of glitzy beading, creating shimmery skirts and gowns, as well as sparkling headpieces.

Additionally, Lululemon has just released a line called ‘LuluLinen,’ notably featuring the aforementioned white linen trousers, as well as other sleek, summery designs. For a brand primarily focused on gym wear, it’s notable that they, too, are embracing the coastal-chic trend!